Quebec covers psilocybin therapy in health insurance for the first time

The decision sets a precedent for regulation of the substance in the rest of Canada and potentially other countries.

Quebec last week became the first province to cover psilocybin-assisted therapy under health insurance. This is further evidence of the medicinal benefits of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, and another step in the quest to legalize psilocybin and other psychedelics.

Psilocybin has shown tremendous potential in treating numerous conditions, including major depression, alcohol and drug addiction, end-of-life anxiety, and more. Recently, several magic mushroom stores have opened – and subsequently closed – in Canada and the US, showing the growing demand for psilocybin therapy.

Related

What are Psychedelic Mushrooms and Psilocybin?

Quebec approves psilocybin therapy

Psilocybin is currently illegal in Canada, but physicians and researchers can apply to Health Canada for an exemption to study or prescribe psilocybin for medical reasons.

Two doctors, Dr. Houman Farzin and Dr. Jean-François Stephan, treated a patient with psilocybin in June 2022 and were then successfully billed and paid for their services by the province of Quebec, according to a press release from TheraPsil, a Canadian non-profit advocacy group for psilocybin therapy.

dr Stephan made the case for the medical benefits, safety and effectiveness of psilocybin in a letter signed by 15 other colleagues to Quebec’s governing body for general practitioners – the Fédération des Médecins Omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ). The group then negotiated with the provincial government to amend the necessary codes of law to allow psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy to be covered by health insurance.

Because Canada has universal health coverage, psilocybin therapy has been adopted by the Quebec government, meaning that all Quebecers — and potentially all Canadians in the future — could have access to psilocybin if deemed medically necessary for them will.

Related

How to dose psychedelic mushrooms

Psilocybin laws and access are lagging behind

Federal recognition of the health benefits of psilocybin therapy is a major step in the quest to legalize the substance and other psychedelics, although these substances are still illegal at the federal level in both Canada and the United States.

“Quebec has chosen to align itself with science when it comes to psychedelic medicine,” said Dr. Stephen in a press release. “It is encouraging to see that they are acknowledging the evidence available and making the necessary adjustments to support the financial aspects of treatment so that this is not a barrier to patient access.”

Related

Nearly 70% of Oregon bans psilocybin, but clinics will open next year anyway

In the United States, the laws have not caught up with the demand for magic mushrooms. In Portland, OR, a store selling magic mushrooms opened a few weeks ago and had lines with waits of up to five hours. Magic Mushroom Shops in San Francisco and Toronto were also incredibly popular, but all three recently closed. Another store in Hamilton, Canada, also recently closed, just a day after it opened.

These stores were open to the general public, a far cry from the medical clearance required to obtain and administer psilocybin in the case of Quebec, but the huge demand for psilocybin is unmistakable. Oregon will also have restrictions on purchasing psilocybin and will not have stores open to the general public.

Access to psilocybin, even if legal, is still a major concern in Oregon, which is set to open clinic doors in early 2023. Psilocybin sessions can cost as much as $1,000 or more per session, limiting therapy to affluent clients. This high price is likely due to the huge training costs for moderators, estimated at $10,000 to $20,000.

As with cannabis, psilocybin laws are messy right now. Regardless of these complications, the Quebec case is a positive sign that governments are beginning to embrace the medical benefits of psilocybin and are changing their laws to allow their citizens access to the substance.

Related

Because of this, the police are raiding psychedelic mushroom stores in major cities

Pat Goggins

Pat Goggins is a senior content editor at Leafly, specializing in cannabis cultivation after working for a commercial grower in Oregon. When you’re not correcting typos, chances are you’ll find him on a boat or in the mountains.

Check out Pat Goggins’ articles

By submitting this form, you are subscribing to Leafly news and promotional emails and agreeing to Leafly’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe from Leafly email communications at any time.